New Illinois Senator Gets Hysterical at the Thought of Al Jazeera

In the efforts to close Guantanamo Bay, one idea is to transfer its prisoners stateside -- particularly to a maximum security prison in Thompson, Illinois, which is, according to Reuters, virtually empty.

But newly elected Senator Mark King is freaking out over the potential decision, and delivered a hysterical, irrational rant on a World Net Daily radio show, stating that such a move would make Illinois “a mecca for terrorists.” Even more absurdly, he cited globally respected news organization Al Jazeera as a reason for it. To host Greg Corombos, via ThinkProgress:

COROMBOS: We’ve seen over time this idea of potentially moving some of these detainees is that a prison facility in Illinois is right at the top of the list. As the new senator now representing the whole state, what’s your reaction to the possibility that that could happen?

KIRK: We should not bring Guantanamo terrorists to the heartland. It would make us a new mecca for terrorists, for Al Jazeera and other network attention and I think would lower the security of the entire United States. Having Guantanamo Bay far away from the continental United States is very helpful in that that’s the center of attention rather than any American community. Bringing this to the heartland I think presents a clear and present danger to the security of the American people.

Despite all the chest-puffing, it's interesting to know that during King's stint in the House last year, he voted for a bill that would authorize funds to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to the mainland. Does he know which way is up? Read more at ThinkProgress.